Ross Wolf might not get another start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:59 pm ET) Rangers pitcher
Ross Wolf, who won in his first major-league start Wednesday against the Athletics, might not be guaranteed another start. Manager Ron Washington
waffled Wednesday about naming Wolf one of his starters for Monday's doubleheader at Arizona.
"We’ll make a decision on that as we move forward," Washington said, per The Dallas Morning News.
Yankees manager wants to settle on three outfielders
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:52 pm ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi has been juggling a lineup of four outfielders for three spots since
Curtis Granderson came off the disabled list May 14. Girardi expressed Wednesday he would eventually like to
settle on a rotation of three outfielders among Granderson,
Brett Gardner,
Vernon Wells and
Ichiro Suzuki, but for now he will continue with the status quo.
"At some point you will probably get to where you will try and put out the same lineup every day," Girardi said.
Girardi has a simple message for his outfielders.
"Just go out and play, that’s all you can do," Girardi said. "As we have seen there are so many things that can happen in this game that we might need to play all four of them."
Hiroki Kuroda expected to make next start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:44 pm ET) Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he expects starting pitcher
Hiroki Kuroda to make his next start Tuesday against the Mets after the right-hander left his start Wednesday against the Orioles with a bruised right calf.
"I would be shocked if he couldn’t make his next start,’’ Girardi said, per the New York Post.
Kuroda also seems confident he will be back on the hill Tuesday.
"It will depend on how it feels [Thursday], but for me I will make the next start,’’ Kuroda said.
Results finally starting to appear for Josh Hamilton
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:37 pm ET) Angels outfielder
Josh Hamilton had another promising performance Wednesday against the Mariners, driving in two runs for a second straight game and walking twice. After batting .202 through his first 32 games, Hamilton is batting .286 (14 for 49) with a .375 on-base percentage, .633 slugging percentage and 1.008 OPS in his last 14 games.
Hamilton will tell you, however, nothing in his approach has changed.
"The ball is finding holes," Hamilton said, per the Los Angeles Times. "It's irritating for me to try to explain. Before … the results weren't there. So when the results finally get there, it's like something different happened. But it really hasn't. That's irritating."
Orioles' prospect out 6-8 weeks after surgery
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:31 pm ET) Orioles starting pitcher prospect
Branden Kline will
undergo surgery Thursday to repair a right ankle/fibula fracture, according to MASNsports.com. Kline will be sidelined 6-8 weeks.
The 2012 second-round pick was injured during conditioning drills. It adds further insult to an already disappointing year for the right-handed pitcher. Kline is 1-2 with a 5.86 ERA and .289 opponents' batting average in seven starts for Class A Delmarva. Kline entered the season as the Orioles' eighth-best prospect, according to MLB.com.
James Shields upbeat despite lack of wins
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:26 pm ET) Royals starting pitcher
James Shields owns a 2.47 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 10 starts, but he has just two wins to show for his strong numbers.
Still, Shields is hardly discouraged by his lack of wins.
"We are going to get some wins," Shields said, per MLB.com. "I feel that is my job here is to get wins. It's just not happening right now. These guys are going to pick me up. These guys are great. They are grinding every day. We are going through a little struggle right now. Our heads are high, and we are staying positive. It's a long season. By no means are we out of it. We are going to keep putting in a good effort and grind it out."
Curtis Granderson working on 'feel' at the plate
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:23 pm ET) Yankees outfielder
Curtis Granderson had his best performance of the season Wednesday at Baltimore, going 3 for 3 with a double and his first home run. It was his second three-hit game since being activated off the disabled list May 14.
Granderson was batting just .174 entering Wednesday's game.
"It’s just a matter of getting comfortable and getting timing right and getting in a rhythm and going from there," Granderson said, per The Journal News. "It’s one of those baseball things. You can’t really pinpoint it exactly. It’s just going to end up happening one day. Could be one swing. Could be one at-bat. Could be one day."
Granderson certainly was encouraged by his performance Wednesday.
"It’s a result-oriented game, so you always want to see that stuff," Granderson said. "At the same time, the feel is the most important thing. Whenever you do get the feel, then you’re in a better situation to get the results that you want. That’s what I’m still working on right now, just getting that feel."
Brewers' 2012 first-rounder already on the move
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:16 pm ET) Brewers outfield prospect
Mitch Haniger has
been promoted from low Class A Wisconsin to high Class A Brevard County. The 2012 first-round pick hit .297 with a .510 slugging percentage, .909 OPS, two triples, five home runs, 12 doubles and 25 RBI in 41 games for Wisconsin.
Haniger, who is considered the Brewers' 10th-best prospect by MLB.com, also had more walks (25) than strikeouts (24), while adding seven stolen bases.
Hiroyuki Nakajima optioned after activation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:10 pm ET) The Athletics activated infielder
Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) from the 15-day disabled list Thursday and
optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento, where he was on a rehab assignment. Nakajima is batting .265 (13 for 49) with four doubles and five RBI in 13 games for Sacramento.
Chad Jenkins being passed over for start
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com
(12:00 pm ET) The Blue Jays are
expected to promote Double-A pitcher Sean Nolin to start Friday's game against the Orioles, according to Sportsnet, choosing the left-hander over
Chad Jenkins, who was considered the front-runner to make the start. Jenkins, who won in his only start May 12 at Boston, has been available out of the team's bullpen.